This program aims to create better and stronger social housing communities by improving local amenities through the provision of a one-off grant to undertake physical improvements near to, or on, social housing communities or sites.

Grants between $2,000 and $50,000 per project can be submitted for physical improvement projects in social housing communities or sites, or at facilities and areas frequently used by social housing tenants.

As announced in the 2015-16 NSW Budget, the government has committed a total funding of $20 million for three years (approximately $6 million per year) for this program.

Organisations which are not incorporated, such as small social housing tenant or community groups, are encouraged to partner with organisations (such as community housing providers) or local councils. These organisations can submit an application and administer the grant on the behalf of these groups.

Please refer to the Guidelines for complete information on eligibility requirements.

Eligible Activities

Eligible projects include those that:
- Improve community infrastructure/facilities such as meeting spaces, community gardens and common areas.
- Enhance open space to provide additional or improved recreation areas.
- Improve social safety.
- Increase accessibility for older people or people with a disability.
- Facilitate better integration between social housing and the surrounding community.

Please refer to the Guidelines for complete information on eligible projects.

Main Assessment Criteria

The main assessment criteria include:
- Physically improves the liveability and amenity adjacent to, or on, social housing communities or sites or at facilities and areas frequently used by social housing tenants.
- Provides benefit to social housing tenants, including facilitating better interaction between social housing tenants and the local community.
- Collaborates with, and involves, social housing tenants and the local community.
- Partners with other community stakeholders, and, where possible, leverages additional resources.
- Can be adequately maintained to sustain community benefit.
- Can be delivered within the proposed budget.
- Can be completed within 12 months of the FACS signed funding agreement.
- The applicant has the capacity and experience to deliver the project.